Hermes Agent CLI Slash Commands Guide: Your Complete Handbook for AI-Powered Terminal Productivity
Hermes Agent is an AI-enhanced terminal tool built specifically for command-line workflows. It uses a clean slash-command system that lets you interact with your computer like a conversation: read and edit files, run shell commands, control browsers, and tap into dozens of pre-built skills. Whether you’re coding, researching, or creating content, these commands turn repetitive tasks into simple dialogue and complex multi-step projects into smooth, trackable flows.
This guide walks you through every core command, the skill system, task management, and real-world usage patterns. Everything is based directly on how Hermes Agent is designed, so you can start using it immediately and get real value from day one.
Core Tool Commands: The Everyday Foundation
Hermes Agent’s slash commands cover the basics first—files, terminal, browser, and code execution. They replace traditional tools with AI-friendly shortcuts that keep you in flow.
File Operation Commands
Most work starts with files. Hermes Agent gives you four straightforward commands:
-
/read – Reads the file and displays it with line numbers for easy reference. -
/write – Overwrites the entire file with new content. -
/search – Searches file contents or filenames. You can limit it to a specific path. -
/patch – Finds and replaces text inside a file without opening an editor.
Example in practice:
/read ~/project/main.py
then
/write ~/notes.txt "Key notes here"
followed by
/search "TODO" --path ./src
and
/patch config.yaml "port: 3000" "port: 8080"
These commands feel natural because they match how you actually think about files—read, search, tweak, save.
Terminal Commands
When you still need raw shell access, use:
-
/term – Runs any shell command and returns the output. -
/bg – Runs the command in the background so it doesn’t block your session. -
/process – Manages background processes (list, poll status, or kill them).
You stay inside Hermes Agent without jumping between windows.
Browser Operation Commands
Hermes Agent can automate your browser:
-
/nav – Opens a webpage. -
/click – Clicks a specific element on the page. -
/type – Types text into a field. -
/snap – Takes a snapshot of the current page. -
/vision – Visually analyzes the page and answers your question.
Chain them together: navigate, click, type, then ask the vision tool to summarize. It turns manual browsing into programmable steps.
Code Execution Command
-
/exec – Runs Python scripts and can call Hermes Agent’s built-in tools.
This makes quick data tasks or automation scripts seamless.
Skill System Commands: 77 Pre-Built Skills That Do the Heavy Lifting
The real power of Hermes Agent comes from its 77 pre-loaded skills across development, research, creativity, and more. Skills are ready-to-use AI modules, not just scripts.
Managing Skills
-
/skills – Lists every available skill. -
/skill – Shows details for one skill. -
/skill_create – Creates a brand-new skill. -
/skill_patch – Updates an existing skill.
Skills are grouped by category so you can find what you need quickly:
-
apple – macOS-only features (iMessage, reminders, notes). -
autonomous-ai-agents – Orchestrates other AI agents like Claude Code or Codex. -
creative – Generates ASCII art, charts, videos, and more. -
data-science – Works with Jupyter kernels and data workflows. -
github – Full GitHub operations (PRs, reviews, issues). -
mlops – Machine-learning training, inference, and evaluation. -
productivity – Connects to Google Workspace, Notion, Linear, etc. -
research – Handles arXiv papers, blog monitoring, and academic tasks. -
software-development – Includes TDD, debugging, and planning.
Check skills first, then dive in. If nothing fits, create your own with /skill_create.
Task Management, Memory, and Search Commands: Keep Everything Organized
Hermes Agent isn’t just for one-off commands. It helps you manage long-running work.
Task Management
-
/todo – Shows your current task list. -
/todo_add – Adds a new task. -
/todo_update – Updates progress (done, in-progress, blocked).
Memory and Session Search
-
/memory_add – Saves important information permanently. -
/memory_remove – Deletes saved memory. -
/search_sessions – Searches past conversations for similar problems. -
/recent – Lists your latest sessions.
When you hit a familiar issue, /search_sessions pulls up the answer instantly. Save key facts with /memory_add and they stay available across sessions.
Agent Collaboration
-
/delegate – Hands a task off to a sub-agent for deep reasoning. -
/delegate_batch – Runs multiple tasks in parallel.
It’s like giving Hermes Agent a team of helpers for heavy thinking.
Planning, Scheduling, Multimedia, and Utility Commands
Planning and Scheduling
-
/cron_create – Creates a recurring task. -
/cron_list – Lists all scheduled tasks. -
/cron_run – Runs a scheduled task right now.
Perfect for daily checks or automated reports.
Multimedia Commands
-
/tts – Converts text to speech. -
/vision_analyze – Analyzes an image and answers your question. -
/gif_search – Finds relevant GIFs. -
/youtube – Gets the transcript of a YouTube video.
Utility Commands
-
/clarify – Asks you for clarification if something is unclear. -
/plan – Switches to planning-only mode (no execution). -
/debug – Starts systematic debugging. -
/tdd – Enters test-driven development mode.
These let you adapt the tool to whatever mode your work needs.
Platform Integration Commands: Connect to the Tools You Already Use
Hermes Agent talks directly to external services:
GitHub Workflow
-
/gh_clone – Clones a repository. -
/gh_pr
